August Birthstone：Peridot and Spinel
August is the month when the sun's light is at its strongest. Deep greens and powerful sunlight fill the air, carrying a real sense of vitality. The birthstones of August reflect this seasonal strength.
August is represented by two birthstones: peridot and spinel.
At L&Co, we see August's birthstones as a pairing of two different stories — one shaped by the sun, and one whose true worth took time to be recognised. Though their backgrounds differ, both are stones of genuine brilliance.
The history of August's birthstones
Peridot was known in Ancient Egypt as the "gem of the sun." The island of St. John (now Zabargad Island) in the Red Sea has long been recognised as a historic source of peridot. Because it keeps its brilliance even by candlelight, the Ancient Romans are said to have called it the "evening emerald."
Spinel spent centuries being mistaken for ruby. The Black Prince's Ruby in the British Crown Jewels and the Timur Ruby that once adorned the Russian imperial crown were both later found to be spinel rather than ruby. It wasn't until 1783, when a French scientist identified the difference in crystal structure, that ruby and spinel were recognised as separate gemstones.
Though their histories are different, both stones share something in common: over time, each has come to be properly valued for what it truly is.
The character of the stones
Peridot owes its green colour to the iron within it. Its colour stays consistently lime to olive green regardless of the lighting, and its unusually high birefringence means it stays vivid even in low light.
Spinel comes in a wide range of colours, including red, pink, blue, purple, and black. Red spinel in particular rivals ruby in brilliance. Because it naturally forms as an octahedral crystal, it often has a well-formed shape even in its rough state, and is frequently used without heat treatment.
Meaning and symbolism
Peridot is traditionally associated with kindness, positivity, marital harmony, and peace of mind. It's said to ward off negative energy and encourage a more optimistic outlook.
Spinel is traditionally associated with success, challenge, achievement, and curiosity. It's said to encourage action and give the wearer courage to try something new.
The appeal of these gemstones in jewellery
Peridot set in yellow gold takes on a warmth reminiscent of sunlight. Set in white gold or silver, its green colour stands out with greater clarity.
Spinel's wide range of colours makes it easy to choose one that suits personal taste. Red spinel in particular offers a brilliance close to ruby's, at a more accessible price point.
L&Co Birthstone Collection
The L&Co Birthstone Collection is designed around the idea that jewellery can hold personal meaning while remaining refined and cherished for a lifetime. Available birthstones include Garnet, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Diamond, Emerald, Moonstone, Ruby, Peridot, Sapphire, Opal, Citrine, and Tanzanite — each one radiant with its own captivating brilliance. We invite you to discover the beauty of the other birthstones as well.
Craft and intention
Peridot requires precise cutting to preserve the beauty of its colour, since the angle of the cut has a significant effect on how it catches the light. Spinel calls for careful selection of rough stones with naturally beautiful colour — since it's rarely heat-treated, the choice of rough material has a direct impact on the finished piece.
Peridot, shaped by the sun, and spinel, whose true value has only recently been recognised — together, these two stones capture the strength and vitality of August.